Ramp structure

ABSTRACT

A ramp structure is provided. It consists of a lap board for a sitting player and parallel rails for launching a rolling ball. The flat undersurface of the lap board rests on the thighs of the sitting player. Spaced apertures on the board are provided for storage of bowling balls.

United" states Patent Inventor John T. Kerr 1343 W. 42nd St., Baltimore, Md. 21211 Appl. No. 865,640

Filed Oct. 13, 1969 Patented May 11, 1971 RAMP STRUCTURE 6 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 273/5411, v 273/ 129 int. Cl A63d 5/00 Field of Search 273/54 (R),

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,083,967 4/1963 Steel 273/54R 3,159,401 12/1964 lkenberry.. 273/54R 3,481,601 12/ 1969 Santora 273/ 54R Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle Attorney-Walter G. Finch ABSTRACT: A rampstructure is provided. it consists of a lap board for a sitting player and parallel rails for launching a rolling ball. The flat undersurface of the lap board rests on the thighs of the sitting player. Spaced apertures on the board are provided for storage of bowling balls.

Patented May 11, 1971 3,578,322

FIG. 2.

JOHN 7. KERR ATTORNEY RAMP STRUCTURE This invention relates generally to gravity projectors for ball rolling, and more particularly it pertains to an apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position of the player.

Certain games such as bowling are denied older persons and cripples because of their inability to stand and swing a ball.

it is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a ramp structure which launches a ball for surface rolling from the lap of a sitting plater.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lap board for supporting the upper end of a ball rolling ramp.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a storage arrangement for holding rolling ball projectiles proximate to a lap held gravity launcher.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the following detailed specification and accompanying single sheet of drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bowling game ramp shown being operated by a seated player and incorporating features of this invention; and

FIG. 2 is plan view of the ramp of FIG. 1.

Referring now to the details of the invention as shown in the drawings, reference number indicates generally a bowling ramp incorporating features of this invention.

This ramp 10 comprises a lap board or panel 12 of a width capable of spanning the thighs of a seated player. The flat undersurface (FIG. 1) of the board rests on the thighs of the seated player. Large spaced holes or apertures 14 are provided in the panel 12 for supporting balls within easy reach in readiness for launching.

A notch 16 is formed in the center of forward edge of the panel 12 between the upper ends of a pair of spaced guide rails 18 of rod or tubing.

The upper ends 20 of the rails 18 are attached in spaced relationship to the underside of the panel 12 with fasteners 22 and somewhat forwardly thereof are bent in a downwardly direction to bend again at their lower ends 24 to generally parallel the floor or playing surface.

Two or more tie plates 26 hold the rails or tubes 18 in parallelism with a spacing to accommodate the playing ball without danger of its dislodgement as it rolls thereupon. The lower end 24 of each tube 18 is preferably provided with an underlying forwardly extending cushioning mat 28 of felt or rubber.

The player seated in a chair with the panel 12 upon his lap aims the ramp 10 in the desired direction of launch of the ball. He then takes a ball from the reserve balls held in the aper tures or holes 14 and positions it against the notch 16 and astraddle the tubes 18.

A slight push is all that is necessary to send the ball down the ramp l0 and launch it from the lower end 24. By twisting his body, the player can raise either end of the panel 12 with his knees thus to sidewardly tilt the ramp l0 and impart a hook" to the launch of the ball as it leaves the resulting unequal heights of the lower ends 24.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

lclaim:

1 An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position, comprising, a lap board for a sitting player, said board includ ing a flat undersurfaee of sufficient lateral extent and configuration to enable the board to be disposed on the thighs of a seated player, and a pair of parallel spaced rails having corresponding upper ends positioned proximate to said lap board and the corresponding lower opposite ends spaced from said lap board, with said spaced rails forming an inclined ramp between the spaced ends thereof.

2. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, wherein aid lap board has spaced apertures provided therein for storage of balls within easy reach of a player in readiness for launching. 4

3. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, wherein said lap board is provided with a notch in the center of the forward edge of said lap board.

4. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, and additionally cushioning means provided at the corresponding opposite lower ends of said spaced rails.

5. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, and additionally tie means for rigidly spacing said spaced rails in parallelism.

6. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, and additionally means for securing the upper ends of said rails in spaced position to said lap board. 

2. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, wherein aid lap board has spaced apertures provided therein for storage of balls within easy reach of a player in readiness for launching.
 3. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, wherein said lap board is provided with a notch in the center of the forward edge of said lap board.
 4. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, and additionally cushioning means provided at the corresponding opposite lower ends of said spaced rails.
 5. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, and additionally tie means for rigidly spacing said spaced rails in parallelism.
 6. An apparatus for launching a ball from a sitting position as recited in claim 1, and additionally means for securing the upper ends of said rails in spaced position to said lap board. 